RESUMEN
Background: Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (ALRI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Pneumonia is a severe form of ALRI that cause over 2 million deaths annually among children younger than 5 years of age. About 19% of all deaths, pneumonia is the leading cause of child mortality. Malnutrition is known to be associated with greater intensity of lower respiratory tract infections, higher the frequency of complications, longer episodes of infections. This study is to assess the plasma zinc levels in normal and malnourished children with LRI aged 2 months to 5 years.Methods: This is a case control study, which was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, the study period is one year from July 2016 to July 2017. 100 children between 2 months to 5 years of age with LRI was included in the study and children less than 2 months and more than 5 years. 50 Children with normal nutrition were taken as controls and 50 children with moderate and severe malnutrition were taken as cases. Age and sex were matched among cases and controls. Blood samples were collected for zinc estimation in both the cases and controls. All children were investigated and treated as per the department protocol for the particular condition. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS v 21.0.Results: In present study, 66% of children had normal zinc levels, 34% of children had low zinc levels. The mean zinc level in our cases was 54.84'18.31 and in controls was 76.84'15.2, which was statistically significant (p = 0.000). Mean plasma zinc levels with respect to age and sex were not significant.Conclusions: Total 34% of children with LRI had low plasma zinc levels. Plasma zinc level were significantly low in malnourished children than normally nourished children with LRI, which is one of the most important cause of high childhood mortality in developing countries.
RESUMEN
Introduction: Simple febrile convulsion is the most common central nervous system disease seen in children. There are hypotheses that thresh hold of neuron excitation may be affected by iron deficiency anemia. Febrile seizures are convulsions that occur in a child who is between six months and five years of age and has a temperature greater than 100.4ºF (38ºC). The majority of febrile seizures occur in children between 6 months to 3 years of age. The aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between iron deficiency and febrile seizures in a large cohort of children who are admitted to the paediatric ward. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 100 children those concerned parents who are willing to participate in the study at Sree Balaji medical college and hospital, Chennai. Children were categorized into 2 groups. Group, I control group (n=50) admitted with febrile illness (fever duration < 3 days) including respiratory infections or acute gastroenteritis but without seizures and without iron supplements. Group II case group (n=50) admitted with febrile illness (fever duration < 3 days) including respiratory infections or acute gastroenteritis but with seizures and with iron supplements. Both the genders are in taken for the study. Parameters such as height, weight, BMI, body temperature, Hb, MCV, serum ferritin were analyzed using standard techniques and results were analyzed accordingly. Results: The age group, height, and weight didn’t show any specific variations which were found to less statically significant of p value<0.005. The mean hemoglobin level, MCV, MCH, serum ferritin level was found to be more in of Group I control group when compared to Group II case group of pvalue <0.001**which was found to be more statically significant. E. Dinesh Kumar, Thumjaa Annamalai. Correlation of iron deficiency anemia and events of febrile seizures among children aged 6 months to 5 years. IAIM, 2017; 4(11): 196-201. Page 197 Conclusion: Children with febrile seizures are almost twice as likely to have iron deficiency anemia as compared to children with febrile illness without seizures. Iron deficiency anemia can be regarded as a modifiable risk factor that predisposes to febrile seizures in children between 6 months to 5 years. Early detection and timely correction of iron deficiency may help in preventing simple febrile seizures in children of this age group